V-17

R

Rich P

New member
So a friend of mine had this in his driveway. Transom was rotted and it has since been replaced with 2 layers of 3/4 marine plywood, some glass mat and a healthy ammount of West resin. I came across the '87 120 Johnson and gave it some new paint and stickers. Hull got painted and the sides got Rhino lining. It was a good project and it runs decent. The shaft is too long (25") so I'll either raise the engine or look for another. Anyone else have one of these boats? Any decent info on them? How low should the aft be sitting in the water (is the 120 too heavy)?

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Sorry about that, my father has another project boat going on and I thought it was the same hull. I'll start another thread instead of hijacking yours.
The 120 horse would create no more problems than an 85 horse, they are about the same weight.
You can easily change from a 20 to a 25" with an adapter, spacer looking stationary jack plate.
We'll see if we can find the thread or manufacturer.
Oh, Welcome to the site!!
 
A 115 crossflow(roughly 315 lbs for a 20" shaft) engine would cut about 70 pounds off the transom vs that 120 looper(close to 390 for a 25" shaft). For that size boat I wouldn't keep that 120 on it, they are just too heavy. The 120/140 weighs almost as much as the old style 150 V-6's, but they have just about as much torque as well to em. A 115 would be a MUCH better match to that hull. The only downside is that the earlier crossflow engines do use more fuel. I would think a 90 YAMAHA would be an ideal match to that hull personally. Lightweight and fuel efficient, and with the right prop would probably perform well. For the money though, you could probably sell that 120 and buy a 115 and come out with MORE money in your pocket as the 25" shaft V-4's are on the rare side and normally fetch a bit more money. I would also say put you a fuel tank inside the console and try and put your batteries under the front deck. This would make the boat ride generally better with that heavy engine on it.
 
Listen to FERM.
There is no need to question if he is right or not!
Cause he is.
I'd not considered the weight difference in the 20" and 25".
 
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tsubaki said:
Listen to FERM.
There is no need to question if he is right or not!
Cause he is.
I'd not considered the weight difference in the 20" and 25".
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There is only about 9-12 pounds difference between a 20" and a 25" shaft, but the loopers are HEAVY! For a smaller lighter boat like this one a cross-flow would be an ideal match.
 
Thanks for the welcome.
I had thought of a jack plate but am not totally sold on the idea. I have a 70 Yamaha on my 15' Whaler and would get a 90 Yama in a heartbeat if a decent deal was to be had (ideal would be straight up swap on the 120). At the moment it will do 32 with three on board. The engine is definately too low (prop is too deep) and it sits kind of low in the back. Will keep eyes out for a smaller engine (shaft and maybe HP). I am thinking of a gas tank for under the console, that tank was just for the bay test. The Wellcraft will be used over the summer, but I also have a few other toys/projects that will be used.
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parting out / come 'n get it

So the boat ran fine for a few months. Yesterday I noticed the bilge pump running a bit more often than not but thought nothing of it since we were skiing and getting a good ammount of water all over the place. Left it at a friends dock last night and ran it back to my place today in some moderate chop. Got to the entrance of my creek and slowed down and noticed boat is sitting VERY low. Called my friend to meet me with the trailer at the ramp and pulled it out just in time before water came over the transom. Hull has 18" crack just under one of the chines near the aft. Engine and controls I am definately keeping. I am going to go look at another bare hull (possibly) and might swap the useable items over (console, back seat, lighting) but I am giving away the hull (great Rhino Lined top for someone) and possibly all the parts if I only swap the engine to another hull. I hate to do it, but if no one wants anything and can come get it in a resonable time, it goes to the dump. I can be reached by email at ReflectingNtr at optonline dot net.
-Rich
 
Two hours on the side of the road with a "Free project boat" sign and it's gone. Went to a guy who plans on fixing the hull and using it as a clam boat.
 
Rich P said:
Two hours on the side of the road with a "Free project boat" sign and it's gone. Went to a guy who plans on fixing the hull and using it as a clam boat.
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Damn, that long? I put stuff on the side of my road with a "FREE" sign and it's gone in minutes; sometimes before I get back to the garage.
 
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